(a) Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, any
scheme or artifice with the intent -
(1) to defraud the United States; or
(2) to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent
pretenses, representations, or promises,
in any procurement of property or services as a prime contractor
with the United States or as a subcontractor or supplier on a
contract in which there is a prime contract with the United States,
if the value of the contract, subcontract, or any constituent part
thereof, for such property or services is $1,000,000 or more shall,
subject to the applicability of subsection (c) of this section, be
fined not more than $1,000,000, or imprisoned not more than 10
years, or both.
(b) The fine imposed for an offense under this section may exceed
the maximum otherwise provided by law, if such fine does not exceed
$5,000,000 and -
(1) the gross loss to the Government or the gross gain to a
defendant is $500,000 or greater; or
(2) the offense involves a conscious or reckless risk of
serious personal injury.
(c) The maximum fine imposed upon a defendant for a prosecution
including a prosecution with multiple counts under this section
shall not exceed $10,000,000.
(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude a court from imposing
any other sentences available under this title, including without
limitation a fine up to twice the amount of the gross loss or gross
gain involved in the offense pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 3571(d).
(e) In determining the amount of the fine, the court shall
consider the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. sections 3553 and 3572,
and the factors set forth in the guidelines and policy statements
of the United States Sentencing Commission, including -
(1) the need to reflect the seriousness of the offense,
including the harm or loss to the victim and the gain to the
defendant;
(2) whether the defendant previously has been fined for a
similar offense; and
(3) any other pertinent equitable considerations.
(f) A prosecution of an offense under this section may be
commenced any time not later than 7 years after the offense is
committed, plus any additional time otherwise allowed by law.
(g)(1) In special circumstances and in his or her sole
discretion, the Attorney General is authorized to make payments
from funds appropriated to the Department of Justice to persons who
furnish information relating to a possible prosecution under this
section. The amount of such payment shall not exceed $250,000. Upon
application by the Attorney General, the court may order that the
Department shall be reimbursed for a payment from a criminal fine
imposed under this section.
(2) An individual is not eligible for such a payment if -
(A) that individual is an officer or employee of a Government
agency who furnishes information or renders service in the
performance of official duties;
(B) that individual failed to furnish the information to the
individual's employer prior to furnishing it to law enforcement
authorities, unless the court determines the individual has
justifiable reasons for that failure;
(C) the furnished information is based upon public disclosure
of allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or
administrative hearing, in a congressional, administrative, or
GAO report, hearing, audit or investigation, or from the news
media unless the person is the original source of the
information. For the purposes of this subsection, "original
source" means an individual who has direct and independent
knowledge of the information on which the allegations are based
and has voluntarily provided the information to the Government;
or
(D) that individual participated in the violation of this
section with respect to which such payment would be made.
(3) The failure of the Attorney General to authorize a payment
shall not be subject to judicial review.
(h) Any individual who -
(1) is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or
in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and
conditions of employment by an employer because of lawful acts
done by the employee on behalf of the employee or others in
furtherance of a prosecution under this section (including
investigation for, initiation of, testimony for, or assistance in
such prosecution), and
(2) was not a participant in the unlawful activity that is the
subject of said prosecution, may, in a civil action, obtain all
relief necessary to make such individual whole. Such relief shall
include reinstatement with the same seniority status such
individual would have had but for the discrimination, 2 times the
amount of back pay, interest on the back pay, and compensation
for any special damages sustained as a result of the
discrimination, including litigation costs and reasonable
attorney's fees.